Resources for Professionals

Prevent Blindness is the people's advocate for healthy vision. We work to elevate the national dialogue around vision and significant public health issues such as surveillance, access, prevention messaging, service integration, and program development and replication. We support the development of effective state vision health systems across the U.S.

The Focus Initiative

The Focus Initiative

The Focus Initiative is a virtual forum for those working in vision and public health. This professional network encourages the sharing of resources (research, webinars, events, etc.) among the vision and public health community.

Publications and Resources

Prevalence of Adult Vision Impairment and Age-Related Eye Disease in the U.S. Visit Our New Online Vision Problems in the U.S. Report (2012 Edition) For a searchable database of the Latest Prevalence Estimates for Age-Related Eye Disease.

The Economic Impact of Vision Problems: The Toll of Major Adult Eye Disorders, Visual Impairment and Blindness on the U.S. Economy This report describes the economic burden of the leading age-related eye diseases: age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataract, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and refractive error. It also looks at the economic impact of vision impairment and blindness.

Through 2050, the prevalence and costs of vision problems are set to grow at an alarming rate, fueled by demographic shifts including the aging of the baby-boomer population, extraordinary increases in the population in the oldest age groups, and the growth of minority populations.

These reports provide information about the state of eye and vision health in the United States and identify national, state and local challenges and opportunities for public health approaches to vision care.

This report brings together information about the scope of the problem, national and state-level policy changes, and efforts to build comprehensive systems to promote vision and eye health. Recent research provides new estimates of the prevalence of vision disorders among U.S. children and new knowledge about factors affecting risk and access to needed services. Nationally, the Affordable Care Act has expanded access to vision insurance coverage, while state-level initiatives have strengthened vision screening and eye health programs.

Initiatives

This event has become a key venue to elevate the national dialogue around vision and significant public health issues such as surveillance, access, prevention messaging, service integration, and program development and replication. It’s also been a strong springboard to release important new public health information, including prevalence data with Vision Problems in The U.S., economic information with Cost of Vision Problems, and forecasting data on the potential future prevalence and costs with The Future of Vision.

Expected attendees include patient advocates, community-based organizations, national vision and eye health organizations, government agencies, and potentially some legislative staff. We will also once again host a virtual live-feed teleconference to coincide with the event, allowing for anyone interested to join in from across the country.

The Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health is presented annually to an individual, team, or organization that has made significant contributions to the advancement of public health related to vision and eye health at the community, state, and/or national level. Among the highest honors Prevent Blindness bestows, this prestigious award consists of formal acknowledgement and a commemorative plaque to be presented at the Focus on Eye Health National Summit in Washington, DC.

The Joanne Angle Investigator Award provides funding for research investigating public health related to eye health and safety. Applications will be accepted in the following priority areas in adult vision, children’s vision, or eye injury. All research grants promote the core mission of Prevent Blindness – preventing blindness and preserving sight.

The National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health (NCCVEH) was established at Prevent Blindness in 2009 with support from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (Grant #H7MMC24738.) The goal of the NCCVEH is to create a public health infrastructure that promotes a comprehensive system of vision care and eye health for all young children. NCCVEH works to improve children’s vision through strong partnerships, sound science, and targeted public policy.

Training and Education

Use the Healthy Eyes Educational Series to build awareness among your clients, co-workers, employees or cohorts of eye and vision basics, common adult vision disorders, eye safety precautions and proactive behaviors that give the best chance for a lifetime of healthy vision.

Optimized for easy download and printing, Prevent Blindness eye health and safety fact sheets are a popular choice for providing up-to-date information at health fairs, schools, hospitals, community centers, pediatric offices or even in your own home. Contact us at 1-800-331-2020 or by email if you are interested in customizing fact sheets for your organization or practice.

Online Training and Certification

Contact us at 1-800-331-2020 or by email if you are interested in Prevent Blindness vision screening training and certification or other online training opportunities.